In the High Flyers spotlight this week is Rachel Heron, senior manager, people transformation, at BT Security
What was your first job?
I was a lifeguard at the Queen's University sports centre, which I loved. There was great camaraderie and it taught me a lot about customer service and team work.
What qualifications do you have?
I have a BSc economics.
What do you attribute your success to?
I’m honest and hard-working and always focused on my goals. I have a great team around me and I am passionate about what I do. I’d also put my success down to a bit of dreaming! Dad always said ‘if you don’t have dreams, you have nothing.’
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
I’m creative, positive, energetic, fun and I am always focused on achieving my goals both personally and professionally. I’m competitive by nature and this has been essential in helping me to lead a team and meet challenging objectives.
Who do you look up to in business?
I look up to my three older brothers. They are all entrepreneurs and are equally successful. They each have different approaches and styles in business so I try to take the best bits from all of them!
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
I like to give my team the freedom to be creative and to have ownership of their work while providing the best atmosphere for them to develop and thrive. I want to empower them to do the best that they can do with my guidance and support.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
In my role, I am responsible for leading a team to deliver transformational programmes to attract, develop and retain cyber security professionals in a highly competitive market. I would urge companies across many industries here to do all that we can to foster and keep hold of the huge talent pool that we have on our doorstep - including cyber security professionals. Continuing to invest in Northern Ireland and ensuring talented people remain in the region is of paramount importance. BT recently announced a multi-million investment in the refurbishment of our flagship building Riverside Tower in Belfast as part of our Better Workplace programme across the UK. We are committed to Belfast. Northern Ireland has a wealth of excellent third level educational options, which foster and develop the specialist talent required for a career in cyber security – while at BT specifically we have graduate and apprentice programmes which enable people to begin and accelerate their careers.
Tell us something we don’t know about what BT does on security
As a critical infrastructure provider and with a global network across 180 countries, we have a ringside seat on the latest cyber threats and trends. We face on average 6,500 cyber-attacks every day, and have 3,000 security professionals in total across the business. As well as the work that team does to protect our own operations, we also provide security solutions to business and government customers around the world.
What website or app could you not do without?
I love my Apple watch. I am doing 15k steps a day in January to raise money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease. My dad died of MND six and a half years ago and so it’s a charity close to our family’s heart.
What was the last book you read?
John Amaechi – The Promises of Giants – How you can fill the leadership void. We need people who are willing to embrace the influence they have and lead others. People who believe in improving society and workplace culture, not only because it makes life better, but because it is proven to yield positive results. John Amaechi is of course hugely focused on the importance of diversity in all areas of life, and working in cyber security recruitment this is also top of our agenda.
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
Being outside! I love walking in the Mournes as well as paddle boarding, kayaking and swimming at Whiterock near where we live. It’s brilliant for family time as well as burning energy and decompressing.
